Integrated circuits

ABSTRACT

An integrated circuit including semiconductor devices may be provided. The semiconductor device may be configured to compare phases of strobe signals which are generated according to internal delay times of the semiconductor devices and configured to control points of time that an internal command is inputted to the internal circuits of the semiconductor devices according to a comparison result of the phases of the strobe signals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C 119(a) to KoreanApplication No. 10-2017-0014105, filed on Jan. 31, 2017, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure may generally relate to integratedcircuits controlling points of time that an internal command is inputtedto internal circuits of semiconductor devices constituting each of theintegrated circuits.

2. Related Art

Recently, an integrated circuit comprised of a plurality ofsemiconductor devices stacked in a single package has been proposed withthe development of packaging techniques. The integrated circuitcomprised of the plurality of semiconductor devices may be fabricated toinclude electrodes and through silicon vias (TSVs). Various internalsignals and a power supply voltage may be transmitted through theelectrodes and through silicon vias (TSVs) of the plurality ofsemiconductor devices.

The plurality of semiconductor devices included in the integratedcircuit may be designed to have different functions and may beencapsulated in a single package. Accordingly, it may be necessary tocompensate for a skew difference between signals of the semiconductordevices encapsulated in a single package.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, an integrated circuit may be provided. Theintegrated circuit may include a first semiconductor device and a secondsemiconductor device. The first semiconductor device may be configuredto output an internal command generated from a command to a first inputthrough electrode. The first semiconductor device may be configured tooutput a high-order strobe signal generated from the internal command toa first output through electrode. The first semiconductor device may beconfigured to detect a phase difference between a low-order strobesignal received from a second output through electrode and thehigh-order strobe signal to control an input point of time of theinternal command. The second semiconductor device may be configured toreceive the internal command from the first input through electrode. Thesecond semiconductor device may be configured to generate the low-orderstrobe signal from the internal command to output the low-order strobesignal to the second output through electrode. The second semiconductordevice may be configured to detect a phase difference between thehigh-order strobe signal received from the first output throughelectrode and the low-order strobe signal to control an input point oftime of the internal command.

According to an embodiment, an integrated circuit may be provided. Theintegrated circuit may include a first semiconductor device and a secondsemiconductor device. The first semiconductor device may be configuredto receive an internal command from a first input through electrode. Thefirst semiconductor device may be configured to generate a high-orderstrobe signal from the internal command to output the high-order strobesignal to a first output through electrode. The first semiconductordevice may be configured to detect a phase difference between alow-order strobe signal received from a second output through electrodeand the high-order strobe signal to control an input point of time ofthe internal command. The second semiconductor device may be configuredto receive the internal command from the first input through electrode.The second semiconductor device may be configured to generate thelow-order strobe signal from the internal command to output thelow-order strobe signal to the second output through electrode. Thesecond semiconductor device may be configured to detect a phasedifference between the high-order strobe signal received from the firstoutput through electrode and the low-order strobe signal to control aninput point of time of the internal command.

According to an embodiment, an integrated circuit may be provided. Theintegrated circuit may include semiconductor devices stacked in a singlepackage, each including internal circuits, coupled to one another bythrough electrodes, and may be configured to compensate for a timingskew difference between signals which are inputted to the internalcircuits of the semiconductor devices. The semiconductor devices may beconfigured to compare phases of strobe signals which are generatedaccording to internal delay times of the semiconductor devices and maybe configured to control points of time that an internal command isinputted to the internal circuits of the semiconductor devices accordingto a comparison result of the phases of the strobe signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an integratedcircuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controlcircuit included in the integrated circuit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a firstinternal circuit included in the integrated circuit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a delaycircuit included in the first internal circuit of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a firstcalibration circuit included in the integrated circuit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a firstdetection circuit included in the integrated circuit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram illustrating a calibration operation relativeto operations of first and second detection circuits in an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram illustrating an operation of an integratedcircuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronicsystem employing the integrated circuit illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be describedhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, theembodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Various embodiments may be directed to integrated circuits controllingpoints of time that an internal command is inputted to internal circuitsof each integrated circuit.

Referring to FIG. 1, an integrated circuit according to an embodimentmay include a first semiconductor device 100, a second semiconductordevice 200 and a third semiconductor device 300. The first, second andthird semiconductor devices 100, 200 and 300 may be physically stackedand electrically connected to each other by through silicon vias (TSVs).

The first semiconductor device 100 may include a control circuit 110, afirst transmission circuit 120, a first receiving circuit 130, a firstinternal circuit 140, a first calibration circuit 150, a secondtransmission circuit 160, a second receiving circuit 170 and a firstdetection circuit 180.

The control circuit 110 may generate an internal command RD, an inputaddress IAD, a calibration enablement signal C_EN and a calibrationperiodic signal C_ROD in response to a command CMD, an address ADD, aclock signal CLK and a boot-up signal BTEN. The control circuit 110 maydecode the command CMD to generate the internal command RD during anormal operation. The control circuit 110 may decode the address ADD togenerate the input address IAD during the normal operation. The controlcircuit 110 may generate the calibration enablement signal C_EN which isenabled after a boot-up operation. The control circuit 110 may generatethe internal command RD which is enabled if the calibration enablementsignal C_EN is enabled. The control circuit 110 may generate theinternal command RD which is periodically created if the calibrationenablement signal C_EN is enabled. The control circuit 110 may generatethe calibration periodic signal C_ROD that is periodically toggled ifthe calibration enablement signal C_EN is enabled. The calibrationenablement signal C_EN may be set as a signal which is enabled to entera calibration operation for controlling an input point of time of theinternal command RD. The boot-up operation may correspond to anoperation that outputs information for controlling operations of thesemiconductor devices from a fuse circuit during an initializationoperation.

The first transmission circuit 120 may output the internal command RDthrough a first input through electrode IN_T1. The first transmissioncircuit 120 may output the input address IAD through a second inputthrough electrode IN_T2. The first transmission circuit 120 may outputthe calibration enablement signal C_EN through a third input throughelectrode IN_T3. The first transmission circuit 120 may output thecalibration periodic signal C_ROD through a fourth input throughelectrode IN_T4. The first transmission circuit 120 may be realizedusing a general transmitter. The first to fourth input throughelectrodes IN_T1, IN_T2, IN_T3 and IN_T4 may be realized using throughsilicon vias (TSVs).

The first receiving circuit 130 may receive the internal command RD fromthe first input through electrode IN_T1 to generate a first internalread signal IRD1. The first receiving circuit 130 may receive the inputaddress IAD from the second input through electrode IN_T2 to generate afirst internal address IAD1. The first receiving circuit 130 may receivethe calibration enablement signal C_EN from the third input throughelectrode IN_T3 to generate a first internal enablement signal C_EN1.The first receiving circuit 130 may receive the calibration periodicsignal C_ROD from the fourth input through electrode IN_T4 to generate afirst internal periodic signal C_ROD1. The first receiving circuit 130may be realized using a general receiver.

The first internal circuit 140 may generate a high-order strobe signalSTU from the first internal read signal IRD1 in response to a firstdetection signal DET1. The first internal circuit 140 may delay thefirst internal read signal IRD1 by a delay time determined in responseto a high-order code signal CDU<1:N> to generate the high-order strobesignal STU during the calibration operation. The first internal circuit140 may receive or output data (DQ of FIG. 3) according to the firstinternal address IAD1 and the first internal read signal IRD1 delayed bya delay time determined in response to the high-order code signalCDU<1:N> during the normal operation.

The first calibration circuit 150 may generate the high-order codesignal CDU<1:N> that is counted in response to the first internalperiodic signal C_ROD1 and the first detection signal DET1. The firstcalibration circuit 150 may generate a high-order transmission controlsignal TCU<1:3> according to chip identification information CID inresponse to the first internal enablement signal C_EN1. The chipidentification information CID may be set to have a logic levelcombination for enabling a first bit (i.e., a first high-ordertransmission control signal) TCU<1> of the high-order transmissioncontrol signal TCU<1:3> during the calibration operation. The chipidentification information CID may be set to have a logic levelcombination for enabling any one of bits included in the high-ordertransmission control signal TCU<1:3> during the normal operation.

The second transmission circuit 160 may output the high-order strobesignal STU to a first output through electrode OUT_T1 in response to thefirst high-order transmission control signal TCU<1> during thecalibration operation. The second transmission circuit 160 may berealized to output the high-order strobe signal STU to any one selectedfrom the group consisting of the first output through electrode OUT_T1,a second output through electrode OUT_T2 and a third output throughelectrode OUT_T3 in response to the high-order transmission controlsignal TCU<1:3> during the normal operation. The second transmissioncircuit 160 may be realized using a general transmitter. The first tothird output through electrodes OUT_T1, OUT_T2 and OUT_T3 may berealized using TSVs.

The second receiving circuit 170 may receive the high-order strobesignal STU from the first output through electrode OUT_T1 to generate afirst high-order transmission strobe signal STU1. The second receivingcircuit 170 may receive a mid-order strobe signal STM from the secondoutput through electrode OUT_T2 to generate a second high-ordertransmission strobe signal STU2. The second receiving circuit 170 mayreceive a low-order strobe signal STD from the third output throughelectrode OUT_T3 to generate a third high-order transmission strobesignal STU3. The second receiving circuit 170 may be realized using ageneral receiver.

The first detection circuit 180 may compare phases of the first, secondand third high-order transmission strobe signals STU1, STU2 and STU3with each other to generate the first detection signal DET1. The firstdetection circuit 180 may generate the first detection signal DET1according to the first high-order transmission strobe signal STU1selected in response to the chip identification information CID and aphase comparison result of the first to third high-order transmissionstrobe signals STU1, STU2 and STU3.

The second semiconductor device 200 may include a third receivingcircuit 210, a second internal circuit 220, a second calibration circuit230, a third transmission circuit 240, a fourth receiving circuit 250and a second detection circuit 260.

The third receiving circuit 210 may receive the internal command RD fromthe first input through electrode IN_T1 to generate a second internalread signal IRD2. The third receiving circuit 210 may receive the inputaddress IAD from the second input through electrode IN_T2 to generate asecond internal address IAD2. The third receiving circuit 210 mayreceive the calibration enablement signal C_EN from the third inputthrough electrode IN_T3 to generate a second internal enablement signalC_EN2. The third receiving circuit 210 may receive the calibrationperiodic signal C_ROD from the fourth input through electrode IN_T4 togenerate a second internal periodic signal C_ROD2. The third receivingcircuit 210 may be realized using a general receiver.

The second internal circuit 220 may generate the mid-order strobe signalSTM from the second internal read signal IRD2 in response to a seconddetection signal DET2. The second internal circuit 220 may delay thesecond internal read signal IRD2 by a delay time determined in responseto a mid-order code signal CDM<1:N> to generate the mid-order strobesignal STM during the calibration operation. The second internal circuit220 may receive or output the data (DQ of FIG. 3) according to thesecond internal address IAD2 and the second internal read signal IRD2delayed by a delay time determined in response to the mid-order codesignal CDM<1:N> during the normal operation. The second internal circuit220 may be realized to have the same configuration as the first internalcircuit 140 except input and output signals. Accordingly, the secondinternal circuit 220 may perform substantially the same operation as thefirst internal circuit 140.

The second calibration circuit 230 may generate the mid-order codesignal CDM<1:N> that is counted in response to the second internalperiodic signal C_ROD2 and the second detection signal DET2. The secondcalibration circuit 230 may generate a mid-order transmission controlsignal TCM<1:3> according to the chip identification information CID inresponse to the second internal enablement signal C_EN2. The chipidentification information CID may be set to have a logic levelcombination for enabling a second bit (i.e., a second mid-ordertransmission control signal) TCM<2> of the mid-order transmissioncontrol signal TCM<1:3> during the calibration operation. The chipidentification information CID may be set to have a logic levelcombination for enabling any one of bits included in the mid-ordertransmission control signal TCM<1:3> during the normal operation. Thesecond calibration circuit 230 may be realized to have the sameconfiguration as the first calibration circuit 150 except input andoutput signals. Accordingly, the second calibration circuit 230 mayperform substantially the same operation as the first calibrationcircuit 150.

The third transmission circuit 240 may output the mid-order strobesignal STM to the second output through electrode OUT_T2 in response tothe second mid-order transmission control signal TCM<2> during thecalibration operation. The third transmission circuit 240 may berealized to output the mid-order strobe signal STM to any one selectedfrom the group consisting of the first to third output throughelectrodes OUT_T1, OUT_T2 and OUT_T3 in response to the mid-ordertransmission control signal TCM<1:3> during the normal operation. Thethird transmission circuit 240 may be realized using a generaltransmitter.

The fourth receiving circuit 250 may receive the high-order strobesignal STU from the first output through electrode OUT_T1 to generate afirst mid-order transmission strobe signal STM1. The fourth receivingcircuit 250 may receive the mid-order strobe signal STM from the secondoutput through electrode OUT_T2 to generate a second mid-ordertransmission strobe signal STM2. The fourth receiving circuit 250 mayreceive the low-order strobe signal STD from the third output throughelectrode OUT_T3 to generate a third mid-order transmission strobesignal STM3. The fourth receiving circuit 250 may be realized using ageneral receiver.

The second detection circuit 260 may compare phases of the first, secondand third mid-order transmission strobe signals STM1, STM2 and STM3 witheach other to generate the second detection signal DET2. The seconddetection circuit 260 may generate the second detection signal DET2according to the second mid-order transmission strobe signal STM2selected in response to the chip identification information CID and aphase comparison result of the first to third mid-order transmissionstrobe signals STM1, STM2 and STM3. The second detection circuit 260 maybe realized to have the same configuration as the first detectioncircuit 180 except input and output signals. Accordingly, the seconddetection circuit 260 may perform substantially the same operation asthe first detection circuit 180.

The third semiconductor device 300 may include a fifth receiving circuit310, a third internal circuit 320, a third calibration circuit 330, afourth transmission circuit 340, a sixth receiving circuit 350 and athird detection circuit 360.

The fifth receiving circuit 310 may receive the internal command RD fromthe first input through electrode IN_T1 to generate a third internalread signal IRD3. The fifth receiving circuit 310 may receive the inputaddress IAD from the second input through electrode IN_T2 to generate athird internal address IAD3. The fifth receiving circuit 310 may receivethe calibration enablement signal C_EN from the third input throughelectrode IN_T3 to generate a third internal enablement signal C_EN3.The fifth receiving circuit 310 may receive the calibration periodicsignal C_ROD from the fourth input through electrode IN_T4 to generate athird internal periodic signal C_ROD3. The fifth receiving circuit 310may be realized using a general receiver.

The third internal circuit 320 may generate the low-order strobe signalSTD from the third internal read signal IRD3 in response to a thirddetection signal DET3. The third internal circuit 320 may delay thethird internal read signal IRD3 by a delay time determined in responseto a low-order code signal CDD<1:N> to generate the low-order strobesignal STD during the calibration operation. The third internal circuit320 may receive or output the data (DQ of FIG. 3) according to the thirdinternal address IAD3 and the third internal read signal IRD3 delayed bya delay time determined in response to the low-order code signalCDD<1:N> during the normal operation. The third internal circuit 320 maybe realized to have the same configuration as the first internal circuit140 except input and output signals. Accordingly, the third internalcircuit 320 may perform substantially the same operation as the firstinternal circuit 140.

The third calibration circuit 330 may generate the low-order code signalCDD<1:N> that is counted in response to the third internal periodicsignal C_ROD3 and the third detection signal DET3. The third calibrationcircuit 330 may generate a low-order transmission control signalTCD<1:3> according to the chip identification information CID inresponse to the third internal enablement signal C_EN3. The chipidentification information CID may be set to have a logic levelcombination for enabling a third bit (i.e., a third low-ordertransmission control signal) TCD<3> of the low-order transmissioncontrol signal TCD<1:3> during the calibration operation. The chipidentification information CID may be set to have a logic levelcombination for enabling any one of bits included in the low-ordertransmission control signal TCD<1:3> during the normal operation. Thethird calibration circuit 330 may be realized to have the sameconfiguration as the first calibration circuit 150 except input andoutput signals. Accordingly, the third calibration circuit 330 mayperform substantially the same operation as the first calibrationcircuit 150.

The fourth transmission circuit 340 may output the low-order strobesignal STD to the third output through electrode OUT_T3 in response tothe third low-order transmission control signal TCD<3> during thecalibration operation. The fourth transmission circuit 340 may berealized to output the low-order strobe signal STD to any one selectedfrom the group consisting of the first to third output throughelectrodes OUT_T1, OUT_T2 and OUT_T3 in response to the low-ordertransmission control signal TCD<1:3> during the normal operation. Thefourth transmission circuit 340 may be realized using a generaltransmitter.

The sixth receiving circuit 350 may receive the high-order strobe signalSTU from the first output through electrode OUT_T1 to generate a firstlow-order transmission strobe signal STD1. The sixth receiving circuit350 may receive the mid-order strobe signal STM from the second outputthrough electrode OUT_T2 to generate a second low-order transmissionstrobe signal STD2. The sixth receiving circuit 350 may receive thelow-order strobe signal STD from the third output through electrodeOUT_T3 to generate a third low-order transmission strobe signal STD3.The sixth receiving circuit 250 may be realized using a generalreceiver.

The third detection circuit 360 may compare phases of the first, secondand third low-order transmission strobe signals STD1, STD2 and STD3 witheach other to generate the third detection signal DET3. The thirddetection circuit 360 may generate the third detection signal DET3according to the third low-order transmission strobe signal STD3selected in response to the chip identification information CID and aphase comparison result of the first to third low-order transmissionstrobe signals STD1, STD2 and STD3. The third detection circuit 360 maybe realized to have the same configuration as the first detectioncircuit 180 except input and output signals. Accordingly, the thirddetection circuit 360 may perform substantially the same operation asthe first detection circuit 180.

Referring to FIG. 2, the control circuit 110 may include a commanddecoder 111, an address decoder 112 and a calibration control circuit113.

The command decoder 111 may decode the command CMD to generate theinternal command RD during the normal operation. The command decoder 111may generate the internal command RD which is enabled in response to thecalibration enablement signal C_EN during the calibration operation. Thecommand decoder 111 may generate the internal command RD which isperiodically created in response to the calibration enablement signalC_EN during the calibration operation. Although FIG. 2 illustrates thecommand CMD with a single signal, the command CMD may include aplurality of bits. The internal command RD may be set as an internalcommand for entering a read operation that outputs the data (DQ of FIG.3). The internal command RD may be set as an internal command forentering a write operation that stores the data (DQ of FIG. 3) in theintegrated circuit according to the embodiments.

The address decoder 112 may decode the address ADD to generate the inputaddress IAD. Although each of the address ADD and the input address IADis illustrated by a single signal, each of the address ADD and the inputaddress IAD may be set to include a plurality of bits. The address ADDmay include location information for selecting any one of a plurality ofbanks included in a memory circuit (142 of FIG. 3). The address ADD mayinclude location information for selecting at least one of a pluralityof memory cells included in the memory circuit (142 of FIG. 3).

The calibration control circuit 113 may generate the calibrationenablement signal C_EN which is enabled in response to the boot-upsignal BTEN and the clock signal CLK. The calibration control circuit113 may generate the calibration enablement signal C_EN which is enabledin synchronization with the clock signal CLK if the boot-up signal BTENis disabled after the boot-up operation. The calibration control circuit113 may generate the calibration periodic signal C_ROD that is toggledin synchronization with the clock signal CLK if the calibrationenablement signal C_EN is enabled. The clock signal CLK may be set as aclock signal which is used in general semiconductor devices. The clocksignal CLK may be set as a signal that is periodically toggled.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first internal circuit 140 may include a delaycircuit 141 and a memory circuit 142.

The delay circuit 141 may generate a first output enablement signal Y11from the first internal read signal IRD1 in response to the firstdetection signal DET1. The delay circuit 141 may delay the firstinternal read signal IRD1 by a delay time determined according to alogic level combination of the high-order code signal CDU<1:N> togenerate the first output enablement signal Y11. The delay circuit 141may generate a first bank address BG1 from the first internal addressIAD1 in response to the first detection signal DET1. The delay circuit141 may delay the first internal address IAD1 by a delay time determinedaccording to a logic level combination of the high-order code signalCDU<1:N> to generate the first bank address BG1. Although each of thefirst internal address IAD1 and the first bank address BG1 isillustrated as a single signal, each of the first internal address IAD1and the first bank address BG1 may include a plurality of bits.

The memory circuit 142 may generate the high-order strobe signal STUwhich is enabled in response to the first output enablement signal Y11during the normal operation or the calibration operation. The memorycircuit 142 may select a bank in the memory circuit 142 according to thefirst bank address BG1 and may receive or output the data DQ through theselected bank in response to the first output enablement signal Y11,during the normal operation.

Referring to FIG. 4, the delay circuit 141 may include an internal delaycircuit 1411, a first selection and transmission(selection/transmission) circuit 1412, an input control signalgeneration circuit 1413, an output control signal generation circuit1414, a latch circuit 1415 and a second selection/transmission circuit1416.

The internal delay circuit 1411 may delay the first internal read signalIRD1 by a delay time determined according to the high-order code signalCDU<1:N> to generate a first delay signal DS1. The delay time determinedaccording to the high-order code signal CDU<1:N> may increase as thehigh-order code signal CDU<1:N> is sequentially counted.

The first selection/transmission circuit 1412 may output any one of thefirst internal read signal IRD1 and the first delay signal DS1 as thefirst output enablement signal Y11 in response to the first detectionsignal DET1. The first selection/transmission circuit 1412 may outputthe first internal read signal IRD1 as the first output enablementsignal Y11 if the first detection signal DET1 is enabled to have a logic“high” level. The first selection/transmission circuit 1412 may outputthe first delay signal DS1 as the first output enablement signal Y11 ifthe first detection signal DET1 is disabled to have a logic “low” level.Further, the logic levels of the signals may be different from or theopposite of those described. For example, a signal described as having alogic “high” level may alternatively have a logic “low” level, and asignal described as having a logic “low” level may alternatively have alogic “high” level.

The input control signal generation circuit 1413 may generate a firstinput control signal PIN1 which is enabled in response to the firstinternal read signal IRD1. The input control signal generation circuit1413 may generate the first input control signal PIN1 which is enabledat a point of time that the first internal read signal IRD1 is inputtedto the input control signal generation circuit 1413.

The output control signal generation circuit 1414 may generate a firstoutput control signal POUT1 which is enabled in response to the firstdelay signal DS1. The output control signal generation circuit 1414 maygenerate the first output control signal POUT1 which is enabled at apoint of time that the first delay signal DS1 is inputted to the outputcontrol signal generation circuit 1414.

The latch circuit 1415 may latch the first internal address IAD1 inresponse to the first input control signal PIN1. The latch circuit 1415may latch the first internal address IAD1 to output the latched firstinternal address IAD1 as a first latch address LAD1, in response to thefirst output control signal POUT1. Although FIG. 4 illustrates anexample in which the latch circuit 1415 latches only one input signal,the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the latchcircuit 1415 may be realized to latch a plurality of first internaladdresses and to output the latched first internal addresses as aplurality of first latch addresses, according to the embodiments.

The second selection/transmission circuit 1416 may output any one of thefirst internal address IAD1 and the first latch address LAD1 as thefirst bank address BG1 in response to the first detection signal DET1.The second selection/transmission circuit 1416 may output the firstinternal address IAD1 as the first bank address BG1 if the firstdetection signal DET1 is enabled to have a logic “high” level. Thesecond selection/transmission circuit 1416 may output the first latchaddress LAD1 as the first bank address BG1 if the first detection signalDET1 is disabled to have a logic “low” level. Further, the logic levelsof the signals may be different from or the opposite of those described.For example, a signal described as having a logic “high” level mayalternatively have a logic “low” level, and a signal described as havinga logic “low” level may alternatively have a logic “high” level.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first calibration circuit 150 may include atransmission control circuit 151 and a code generation circuit 152.

The transmission control circuit 151 may generate the high-ordertransmission control signal TCU<1:3> in response to the first internalenablement signal C_EN1 and the chip identification information CID. Thetransmission control circuit 151 may enable any one of bits included inthe high-order transmission control signal TCU<1:3> in response to thechip identification information CID if the first internal enablementsignal C_EN1 is enabled. The transmission control circuit 151illustrated in FIG. 5 may generate a first bit (i.e., a first high-ordertransmission control signal TCU<1>) of the bits included in thehigh-order transmission control signal TCU<1:3> which is selectivelyenabled according to the chip identification information CID during thecalibration operation.

The code generation circuit 152 may generate the high-order code signalCDU<1:N> that is counted in response to the first internal periodicsignal C_ROD1 and the first detection signal DET1. The code generationcircuit 152 may generate the high-order code signal CDU<1:N> that iscounted in response to the first detection signal DET1 at a falling edgeof the first internal periodic signal C_ROD1. The code generationcircuit 152 may count the high-order code signal CDU<1:N> if the firstdetection signal DET1 has a logic “low” level at a falling edge of thefirst internal periodic signal C_ROD1. The code generation circuit 152may not count the high-order code signal CDU<1:N> if the first detectionsignal DET1 has a logic “high” level at a falling edge of the firstinternal periodic signal C_ROD1. Further, the logic levels of thesignals may be different from or the opposite of those described. Forexample, a signal described as having a logic “high” level mayalternatively have a logic “low” level, and a signal described as havinga logic “low” level may alternatively have a logic “high” level.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first detection circuit 180 may include a thirdselection/transmission circuit 181, a unit delay circuit 182, a logiccircuit 183 and a detection signal generation circuit 184.

The third selection/transmission circuit 181 may output any one of thefirst to third high-order transmission strobe signals STU1, STU2 andSTU3 as a first selection signal SEL1 in response to the chipidentification information CID. The third selection/transmission circuit181 illustrated in FIG. 6 may output the first high-order transmissionstrobe signal STU1 as the first selection signal SEL1 according to thechip identification information CID during the calibration operation.

The unit delay circuit 182 may delay the first selection signal SEL1 togenerate a first delay selection signal DSEL1. A delay time of the unitdelay circuit 182 may be set to be equal to an increment of the delaytime of the delay circuit 141 when the high-order code signal CDU<1:N>is counted once.

The logic circuit 183 may perform a NOR operation and may be realizedusing, for example but not limited to, a NOR gate NORIO. The logiccircuit 183 may synthesize the first to third high-order transmissionstrobe signals STU1, STU2 and STU3 to generate a first synthesis signalSUM1. The logic circuit 183 may generate the first synthesis signal SUM1having a logic “low” level if at least one of the first to thirdhigh-order transmission strobe signals STU1, STU2 and STU3 has a logic“high” level. Further, the logic levels of the signals may be differentfrom or the opposite of those described. For example, a signal describedas having a logic “high” level may alternatively have a logic “low”level, and a signal described as having a logic “low” level mayalternatively have a logic “high” level.

The detection signal generation circuit 184 may output the first delayselection signal DSEL1 as the first detection signal DET1 in response tothe first synthesis signal SUM1. The detection signal generation circuit184 may output the first delay selection signal DSEL1 as the firstdetection signal DET1 at a point of time that a logic level of the firstsynthesis signal SUM1 changes from a logic “low” level into a logic“high” level. Further, the logic levels of the signals may be differentfrom or the opposite of those described. For example, a signal describedas having a logic “high” level may alternatively have a logic “low”level, and a signal described as having a logic “low” level mayalternatively have a logic “high” level.

An operation of the first and second detection circuits 180 and 260 willbe described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 7 in conjunction withthe calibration operation that the first and second semiconductordevices 100 and 200 control an input point of time of the internalcommand RD.

First, an operation for generating the high-order strobe signal STU, themid-order strobe signal STM and the low-order strobe signal STD from theinternal command RD in the first, second and third semiconductor devices100, 200 and 300 will be described hereinafter.

At a point of time “T1”, the control circuit 110 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may generate the calibration enablement signalC_EN which is enabled after the boot-up operation. The control circuit110 may generate the internal command RD which is enabled in response tothe calibration enablement signal C_EN. The control circuit 110 maygenerate the calibration periodic signal C_ROD that is toggled inresponse to the calibration enablement signal C_EN.

The first transmission circuit 120 of the first semiconductor device 100may output the internal command RD to the first input through electrodeIN_T1. The first transmission circuit 120 may output the calibrationenablement signal C_EN to the third input through electrode IN_T3. Thefirst transmission circuit 120 may output the calibration periodicsignal C_ROD to the fourth input through electrode IN_T4.

The first receiving circuit 130 of the first semiconductor device 100may receive the internal command RD from the first input throughelectrode IN_T1 to generate the first internal read signal IRD1. Thefirst receiving circuit 130 may receive the calibration enablementsignal C_EN from the third input through electrode IN_T3 to generate thefirst internal enablement signal C_EN1. The first receiving circuit 130may receive the calibration periodic signal C_ROD from the fourth inputthrough electrode IN_T4 to generate the first internal periodic signalC_ROD1.

The first internal circuit 140 of the first semiconductor device 100 maydelay the first internal read signal IRD1 by an internal delay time D1determined in response to the high-order code signal CDU<1:N> togenerate the high-order strobe signal STU. The high-order strobe signalSTU may be generated at a point of time “T3” that the internal delaytime D1 elapses from the point of time “T1”.

The second transmission circuit 160 of the first semiconductor device100 may output the high-order strobe signal STU to the first outputthrough electrode OUT_T1 in response to the high-order transmissioncontrol signal TCU<1:3>.

The third transmission circuit 210 of the second semiconductor device200 may receive the internal command RD from the first input throughelectrode IN_T1 to generate the second internal read signal IRD2. Thethird receiving circuit 210 may receive the calibration enablementsignal C_EN from the third input through electrode IN_T3 to generate thesecond internal enablement signal C_EN2. The third receiving circuit 210may receive the calibration periodic signal C_ROD from the fourth inputthrough electrode IN_T4 to generate the second internal periodic signalC_ROD2.

The second internal circuit 220 of the second semiconductor device 200may delay the second internal read signal IRD2 by an internal delay timeD2 determined in response to the mid-order code signal CDM<1:N> togenerate the mid-order strobe signal STM. The mid-order strobe signalSTM may be generated at a point of time “T5” that the internal delaytime D2 elapses from the point of time “T1”.

The third transmission circuit 240 of the second semiconductor device200 may output the mid-order strobe signal STM to the second outputthrough electrode OUT_T2 in response to the mid-order transmissioncontrol signal TCM<1:3>.

The fifth transmission circuit 310 of the third semiconductor device 300may receive the internal command RD from the first input throughelectrode IN_T1 to generate the third internal read signal IRD3. Thefifth receiving circuit 310 may receive the calibration enablementsignal C_EN from the third input through electrode IN_T3 to generate thethird internal enablement signal C_EN3. The fifth receiving circuit 310may receive the calibration periodic signal C_ROD from the fourth inputthrough electrode IN_T4 to generate the third internal periodic signalC_ROD3.

The third internal circuit 320 of the third semiconductor device 300 maydelay the third internal read signal IRD3 by an internal delay time D3determined in response to the low-order code signal CDD<1:N> to generatethe low-order strobe signal STD. The low-order strobe signal STD may begenerated at a point of time “T2” that the internal delay time D3elapses from the point of time “T1”.

The fourth transmission circuit 340 of the third semiconductor device300 may output the low-order strobe signal STD to the third outputthrough electrode OUT_T3 in response to the low-order transmissioncontrol signal TCD<1:3>.

Next, an operation for controlling an input point of time of theinternal command RD by comparing phases of the high-order strobe signalSTU, the mid-order strobe signal STM and the low-order strobe signal STDwill be described hereinafter.

At the point of time “T2”, the second receiving circuit 170 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may receive the low-order strobe signal STDfrom the third output through electrode OUT_T3 to generate the thirdhigh-order transmission strobe signal STU3 having a logic “high” level.The logic circuit 183 of the first detection circuit 180 may generatethe first synthesis signal SUM1 having a logic “low” level in responseto the third high-order transmission strobe signal STU3 having a logic“high” level.

At the point of time “T3”, the second receiving circuit 170 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may receive the high-order strobe signal STUfrom the first output through electrode OUT_T1 to generate the firsthigh-order transmission strobe signal STU1 having a logic “high” level.The third selection/transmission circuit 181 of the first detectioncircuit 180 may output the first high-order transmission strobe signalSTU1 as the first selection signal SEL1 according to the chipidentification information CID.

At a point of time “T4”, the unit delay circuit 182 of the firstdetection circuit 180 may delay the first selection signal SEL1 createdat the point of time “T3” to generate the first delay selection signalDSEL1 having a logic “high” level.

At the point of time “T5”, the second receiving circuit 170 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may receive the mid-order strobe signal STMfrom the second output through electrode OUT_T2 to generate the secondhigh-order transmission strobe signal STU2 having a logic “high” level.

At a point of time “T7”, the detection signal generation circuit 184 ofthe first detection circuit 180 may output the first delay selectionsignal DSEL1 having a logic “low” level as the first detection signalDET1 in response to the first synthesis signal SUM1, a logic level ofwhich changes from a logic “low” level into a logic “high” level.

The first calibration circuit 150 of the first semiconductor device 100may count the high-order code signal CDU<1:N> in response to the firstdetection signal DET1 having a logic “low” level.

The first internal circuit 140 of the first semiconductor device 100 maydelay the first internal read signal IRD1 by a delay time, which isincreased according to the high-order code signal CDU<1:N> that iscounted, to control a point of time that the internal command RD isinputted to the memory circuit 142.

In the above description, since the comparison result of the phases ofthe high-order strobe signal STU, the mid-order strobe signal STM andthe low-order strobe signal STD is within the range of a predeterminedtime period, the first semiconductor device 100 may control an inputpoint of time of the internal command RD. The predetermined time periodmay be set as a time period that the first synthesis signal SUM1maintains a logic “low” level.

At the point of time “T2”, the third receiving circuit 210 of the secondsemiconductor device 200 may receive the low-order strobe signal STDfrom the third output through electrode OUT_T3 to generate the thirdmid-order transmission strobe signal STM3 having a logic “high” level. Alogic circuit (not illustrated) of the second detection circuit 260 maygenerate a second synthesis signal SUM2 having a logic “low” level inresponse to the third mid-order transmission strobe signal STM3 having alogic “high” level.

At the point of time “T3”, the third receiving circuit 210 of the secondsemiconductor device 200 may receive the high-order strobe signal STUfrom the first output through electrode OUT_T1 to generate the firstmid-order transmission strobe signal STM1 having a logic “high” level.

At the point of time “T5”, the fourth receiving circuit 250 of thesecond semiconductor device 200 may receive the mid-order strobe signalSTM from the second output through electrode OUT_T2 to generate thesecond mid-order transmission strobe signal STM2 having a logic “high”level. The second detection circuit 260 may output the second mid-ordertransmission strobe signal STM2 as a second selection signal SEL2according to the chip identification information CID.

At a point of time “T6”, the second detection circuit 260 may delay thesecond selection signal SEL2 created at the point of time “T5” togenerate a second delay selection signal DSEL2 having a logic “high”level.

At the point of time “T7”, a detection signal generation circuit (notillustrated) of the second detection circuit 260 may output the seconddelay selection signal DSEL2 having a logic “high” level as the seconddetection signal DET2 in response to the second synthesis signal SUM2, alogic level of which changes from a logic “low” level into a logic“high” level.

The second calibration circuit 230 of the second semiconductor device200 may not count the mid-order code signal CDM<1:N> in response to thesecond detection signal DET2 having a logic “high” level.

A delay time of the second internal circuit 220 of the secondsemiconductor device 200 may not increase according to the mid-ordercode signal CDM<1:N> that is not counted.

In the above description, since the comparison result of the phases ofthe high-order strobe signal STU, the mid-order strobe signal STM andthe low-order strobe signal STD is out of the range of a predeterminedtime period, the second semiconductor device 200 may not control aninput point of time of the internal command RD. The predetermined timeperiod may be set as a time period that the second synthesis signal SUM2maintains a logic “low” level.

A calibration operation of an integrated circuit according to anembodiment will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 8 inconjunction with a case in which an internal delay time of the secondsemiconductor device 200 is normal.

At a point of time “T11”, the control circuit 110 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may generate the calibration enablement signalC_EN which is enabled in response to the boot-up signal BTEN which isdisabled to have a logic “low” level after the boot-up operation. Thecontrol circuit 110 may generate the internal command RD which isenabled in response to the calibration enablement signal C_EN. Thecontrol circuit 110 may generate the calibration periodic signal C_RODthat is toggled in response to the calibration enablement signal C_EN.

The first internal circuit 140 of the first semiconductor device 100 maygenerate the high-order strobe signal STU at a point of time that theinternal delay time D1 elapses from the point of time “T11”.

The second internal circuit 220 of the second semiconductor device 200may generate the mid-order strobe signal STM at a point of time that theinternal delay time D2 elapses from the point of time “T11”.

The third internal circuit 320 of the third semiconductor device 300 maygenerate the low-order strobe signal STD at a point of time that aninternal delay time D3 elapses from the point of time “T11”.

At a point of time “T12”, the first detection circuit 180 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may detect phase differences between the firsthigh-order transmission strobe signal STU1 generated from the high-orderstrobe signal STU, the second high-order transmission strobe signal STU2generated from the mid-order strobe signal STM, and the third high-ordertransmission strobe signal STU3 generated from the low-order strobesignal STD to generate the first detection signal DET1 having a logic“low” level.

The second detection circuit 260 of the second semiconductor device 200may detect phase differences between the first mid-order transmissionstrobe signal STM1 generated from the high-order strobe signal STU, thesecond mid-order transmission strobe signal STM2 generated from themid-order strobe signal STM, and the third mid-order transmission strobesignal STM3 generated from the low-order strobe signal STD to generatethe second detection signal DET2 having a logic “high” level.

The third detection circuit 360 of the third semiconductor device 300may detect phase differences between the first low-order transmissionstrobe signal STD1 generated from the high-order strobe signal STU, thesecond low-order transmission strobe signal STD2 generated from themid-order strobe signal STM, and the third low-order transmission strobesignal STD3 generated from the low-order strobe signal STD to generatethe third detection signal DET3 having a logic “low” level.

The first, second and third detection signals DET1, DET2 and DET3 may begenerated using the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 7.Thus, the operation of generating the first, second and third detectionsignals DET1, DET2 and DET3 will be omitted hereinafter to avoidduplicate explanation.

At a point of time “T13”, the first calibration circuit 150 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may count the high-order code signal CDU<1:N>in response to the first detection signal DET1 having a logic “low”level at a falling edge of the calibration periodic signal C_ROD.

A delay time of the first internal circuit 140 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may be additionally increased by a delay timeA1 according to the high-order code signal CDU<1:N> that is counted.

The second calibration circuit 230 of the second semiconductor device200 may not count the mid-order code signal CDM<1:N> in response to thesecond detection signal DET2 having a logic “high” level at a fallingedge of the calibration periodic signal C_ROD.

A delay time of the second internal circuit 220 of the secondsemiconductor device 200 may not be increased according to the mid-ordercode signal CDM<1:N> that is not counted.

The third calibration circuit 330 of the third semiconductor device 300may count the low-order code signal CDD<1:N> in response to the thirddetection signal DET3 having a logic “low” level at a falling edge ofthe calibration periodic signal C_ROD.

A delay time of the third internal circuit 320 of the thirdsemiconductor device 300 may be additionally increased by the delay timeA1 according to the low-order code signal CDD<1:N> that is counted.

At a point of time “T14”, the control circuit 110 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may generate the internal command RD which isenabled in response to the calibration enablement signal C_EN. Thecontrol circuit 110 may generate the calibration periodic signal C_RODthat is toggled in response to the calibration enablement signal C_EN.

The first internal circuit 140 of the first semiconductor device 100 maygenerate the high-order strobe signal STU at a point of time that a sumof the internal delay time D1 and the delay time A1 elapses from thepoint of time “T14”.

The second internal circuit 220 of the second semiconductor device 200may generate the mid-order strobe signal STM at a point of time that theinternal delay time D2 elapses from the point of time “T14”.

The third internal circuit 320 of the third semiconductor device 300 maygenerate the low-order strobe signal STD at a point of time that a sumof the internal delay time D3 and the delay time A1 elapses from thepoint of time “T14”.

At a point of time “T15”, the first detection circuit 180 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may detect phase differences between the firsthigh-order transmission strobe signal STU1 generated from the high-orderstrobe signal STU, the second high-order transmission strobe signal STU2generated from the mid-order strobe signal STM, and the third high-ordertransmission strobe signal STU3 generated from the low-order strobesignal STD to generate the first detection signal DET1 having a logic“high” level.

The second detection circuit 260 of the second semiconductor device 200may detect phase differences between the first mid-order transmissionstrobe signal STM1 generated from the high-order strobe signal STU, thesecond mid-order transmission strobe signal STM2 generated from themid-order strobe signal STM, and the third mid-order transmission strobesignal STM3 generated from the low-order strobe signal STD to generatethe second detection signal DET2 having a logic “high” level.

The third detection circuit 360 of the third semiconductor device 300may detect phase differences between the first low-order transmissionstrobe signal STD1 generated from the high-order strobe signal STU, thesecond low-order transmission strobe signal STD2 generated from themid-order strobe signal STM, and the third low-order transmission strobesignal STD3 generated from the low-order strobe signal STD to generatethe third detection signal DET3 having a logic “low” level.

At a point of time “T16”, the first calibration circuit 150 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may not count the high-order code signalCDU<1:N> in response to the first detection signal DET1 having a logic“high” level at a falling edge of the calibration periodic signal C_ROD.

A delay time of the first internal circuit 140 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may not be increased according to thehigh-order code signal CDU<1:N> that is not counted.

The second calibration circuit 230 of the second semiconductor device200 may not count the mid-order code signal CDM<1:N> in response to thesecond detection signal DET2 having a logic “high” level at a fallingedge of the calibration periodic signal C_ROD.

A delay time of the second internal circuit 220 of the secondsemiconductor device 200 may not be increased according to the mid-ordercode signal CDM<1:N> that is not counted.

The third calibration circuit 330 of the third semiconductor device 300may count the low-order code signal CDD<1:N> in response to the thirddetection signal DET3 having a logic “low” level at a falling edge ofthe calibration periodic signal C_ROD.

A delay time of the third internal circuit 320 of the thirdsemiconductor device 300 may be additionally increased by a delay timeA2 according to the low-order code signal CDD<1:N> that is counted.

At a point of time “T17”, the control circuit 110 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may generate the internal command RD which isenabled in response to the calibration enablement signal C_EN. Thecontrol circuit 110 may generate the calibration periodic signal C_RODthat is toggled in response to the calibration enablement signal C_EN.

The first internal circuit 140 of the first semiconductor device 100 maygenerate the high-order strobe signal STU at a point of time that a sumof the internal delay time D1 and the delay time A1 elapses from thepoint of time “T17”.

The second internal circuit 220 of the second semiconductor device 200may generate the mid-order strobe signal STM at a point of time that theinternal delay time D2 elapses from the point of time “T17”.

The third internal circuit 320 of the third semiconductor device 300 maygenerate the low-order strobe signal STD at a point of time that a sumof the internal delay time D3 and the delay time A2 elapses from thepoint of time “T17”.

At a point of time “T18”, the first detection circuit 180 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may detect phase differences between the firsthigh-order transmission strobe signal STU1 generated from the high-orderstrobe signal STU, the second high-order transmission strobe signal STU2generated from the mid-order strobe signal STM, and the third high-ordertransmission strobe signal STU3 generated from the low-order strobesignal STD to generate the first detection signal DET1 having a logic“high” level.

The second detection circuit 260 of the second semiconductor device 200may detect phase differences between the first mid-order transmissionstrobe signal STM1 generated from the high-order strobe signal STU, thesecond mid-order transmission strobe signal STM2 generated from themid-order strobe signal STM, and the third mid-order transmission strobesignal STM3 generated from the low-order strobe signal STD to generatethe second detection signal DET2 having a logic “high” level.

The third detection circuit 360 of the third semiconductor device 300may detect phase differences between the first low-order transmissionstrobe signal STD1 generated from the high-order strobe signal STU, thesecond low-order transmission strobe signal STD2 generated from themid-order strobe signal STM, and the third low-order transmission strobesignal STD3 generated from the low-order strobe signal STD to generatethe third detection signal DET3 having a logic “high” level.

Subsequently, the first calibration circuit 150 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may not count the high-order code signalCDU<1:N> in response to the first detection signal DET1 having a logic“high” level at a falling edge of the calibration periodic signal C_ROD.

A delay time of the first internal circuit 140 of the firstsemiconductor device 100 may not be increased according to thehigh-order code signal CDU<1:N> that is not counted.

The second calibration circuit 230 of the second semiconductor device200 may not count the mid-order code signal CDM<1:N> in response to thesecond detection signal DET2 having a logic “high” level at a fallingedge of the calibration periodic signal C_ROD.

A delay time of the second internal circuit 220 of the secondsemiconductor device 200 may not be increased according to the mid-ordercode signal CDM<1:N> that is not counted.

The third calibration circuit 330 of the third semiconductor device 300may not count the low-order code signal CDD<1:N> in response to thethird detection signal DET3 having a logic “high” level at a fallingedge of the calibration periodic signal C_ROD.

A delay time of the third internal circuit 320 of the thirdsemiconductor device 300 may not be increased according to the low-ordercode signal CDD<1:N> that is not counted.

As described above, an integrated circuit according to an embodiment maycompare phases of strobe signals which are generated according tointernal delay times of semiconductor devices stacked in a package andmay control points of time that an internal command is inputted tointernal circuits of the semiconductor devices according to thecomparison result of the phases of the strobe signals. Thus, it may bepossible to compensate for a timing skew difference between signalswhich are inputted to the internal circuits of the semiconductor devicesencapsulated in a single package.

The integrated circuits described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 may beapplied to an electronic system that includes a memory system, a graphicsystem, a computing system, a mobile system, or the like. For example,as illustrated in FIG. 9, an electronic system 1000 according anembodiment may include a data storage circuit 1001, a memory controller1002, a buffer memory 1003, and an input and output (input/output) (I/O)interface 1004.

The data storage circuit 1001 may store data which are outputted fromthe memory controller 1002 or may read and output the stored data to thememory controller 1002, according to a control signal generated by thememory controller 1002. The data storage circuit 1001 may include thefirst semiconductor device 100, the second semiconductor device 200 andthe third semiconductor device 300 illustrated in FIG. 1. The datastorage circuit 1001 may include a nonvolatile memory that can retaintheir stored data even when its power supply is interrupted. Thenonvolatile memory may be a flash memory such as a NOR-type flash memoryor a NAND-type flash memory, a phase change random access memory (PRAM),a resistive random access memory (RRAM), a spin transfer torque randomaccess memory (STTRAM), a magnetic random access memory (MRAM), or thelike.

The memory controller 1002 may receive a command outputted from anexternal device (e.g., a host device) through the I/O interface 1004 andmay decode the command outputted from the host device to control anoperation for inputting data into the data storage circuit 1001 or thebuffer memory 1003 or for outputting the data stored in the data storagecircuit 1001 or the buffer memory 1003. Although FIG. 9 illustrates thememory controller 1002 with a single block, the memory controller 1002may include one controller for controlling the data storage circuit 1001comprised of a nonvolatile memory and another controller for controllingthe buffer memory 1003 comprised of a volatile memory.

The buffer memory 1003 may temporarily store the data which areprocessed by the memory controller 1002. That is, the buffer memory 1003may temporarily store the data which are outputted from or to beinputted to the data storage circuit 1001. The buffer memory 1003 maystore the data, which are outputted from the memory controller 1002,according to a control signal. The buffer memory 1003 may read andoutput the stored data to the memory controller 1002. The buffer memory1003 may include a volatile memory such as a dynamic random accessmemory (DRAM), a mobile DRAM, or a static random access memory (SRAM).

The I/O interface 1004 may physically and electrically connect thememory controller 1002 to the external device (i.e., the host). Thus,the memory controller 1002 may receive control signals and data suppliedfrom the external device (i.e., the host) through the I/O interface 1004and may output the data generated by the memory controller 1002 to theexternal device (i.e., the host) through the I/O interface 1004. Thatis, the electronic system 1000 may communicate with the host through theI/O interface 1004. The I/O interface 1004 may include any one ofvarious interface protocols such as a universal serial bus (USB), amulti-media card (MMC), a peripheral component interconnect-express(PCI-E), a serial attached SCSI (SAS), a serial AT attachment (SATA), aparallel AT attachment (PATA), a small computer system interface (SCSI),an enhanced small device interface (ESDI) and an integrated driveelectronics (IDE).

The electronic system 1000 may be used as an auxiliary storage device ofthe host or an external storage device. The electronic system 1000 mayinclude a solid state disk (SSD), a USB memory, a secure digital (SD)card, a mini secure digital (mSD) card, a micro secure digital (microSD) card, a secure digital high capacity (SDHC) card, a memory stickcard, a smart media (SM) card, a multi-media card (MMC), an embeddedmulti-media card (eMMC), a compact flash (CF) card, or the like.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated circuit comprising: a firstsemiconductor device configured to output an internal command generatedfrom a command to a first input through electrode, configured to outputa high-order strobe signal generated from the internal command to afirst output through electrode, and configured to detect a phasedifference between a low-order strobe signal received from a secondoutput through electrode and the high-order strobe signal to control aninput point of time of the internal command; and a second semiconductordevice configured to receive the internal command from the first inputthrough electrode, configured to generate the low-order strobe signalfrom the internal command to output the low-order strobe signal to thesecond output through electrode, and configured to detect a phasedifference between the high-order strobe signal received from the firstoutput through electrode and the low-order strobe signal to control aninput point of time of the internal command.
 2. The integrated circuitof claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor device and the secondsemiconductor device are configured to delay the internal command by apredetermined delay time if the phase difference between the high-orderstrobe signal and the low-order strobe signal is within the range of apredetermined time period.
 3. The integrated circuit of claim 1, whereinthe first semiconductor device includes: a control circuit configured togenerate a calibration enablement signal which is enabled after aboot-up operation, configured to generate the internal command which isenabled if the calibration enablement signal is enabled, and configuredto generate a calibration periodic signal which is toggled if thecalibration enablement signal is enabled; a first transmission circuitconfigured to output the internal command to the first input throughelectrode, configured to output the calibration enablement signal to asecond input through electrode, and configured to output the calibrationperiodic signal to a third input through electrode; a first receivingcircuit configured to receive the internal command to generate a firstinternal read signal, configured to receive the calibration enablementsignal to generate a first internal enablement signal, and configured toreceive the calibration periodic signal to generate a first internalperiodic signal; a first internal circuit configured to delay the firstinternal read signal by a delay time determined based on a high-ordercode signal to generate the high-order strobe signal; a firstcalibration circuit configured to generate the high-order code signalthat is counted and a high-order transmission control signal, based onthe first internal enablement signal, the first internal periodic signaland a first detection signal; a second transmission circuit configuredto output the high-order strobe signal to the first output throughelectrode based on the high-order transmission control signal; a secondreceiving circuit configured to receive the high-order strobe signal togenerate a first high-order transmission strobe signal and configured toreceive the low-order strobe signal to generate a second high-ordertransmission strobe signal; and a first detection circuit configured tocompare a phase of the first high-order transmission strobe signal witha phase of the second high-order transmission strobe signal to generatethe first detection signal.
 4. The integrated circuit of claim 3,wherein the control circuit includes: a command decoder configured togenerate the internal command which is enabled based on the command andthe calibration enablement signal; and a calibration control circuitconfigured to generate the calibration enablement signal which isenabled based on a boot-up signal and a clock signal and configured togenerate the calibration periodic signal which is toggled based on theboot-up signal and the clock signal.
 5. The integrated circuit of claim3, wherein the control circuit includes: an address decoder configuredto decode an address to generate an input address including locationinformation for selecting a bank in the first internal circuit.
 6. Theintegrated circuit of claim 3, wherein the first internal circuitincludes: a first delay circuit configured to delay the first internalread signal by a delay time determined according to a logic levelcombination of the high-order code signal to generate a first outputenablement signal; and a first memory circuit configured to generate thehigh-order strobe signal which is enabled based on the first outputenablement signal.
 7. The integrated circuit of claim 6, wherein thefirst delay circuit is configured to generate a first bank address froma first internal address based on the first detection signal and isconfigured to delay the first internal address by a delay timedetermined according to a logic level combination of the high-order codesignal to generate the first bank address, and wherein the first memorycircuit is configured to select a bank included in the first memorycircuit according to the first bank address.
 8. The integrated circuitof claim 6, wherein the first delay circuit includes: a first internaldelay circuit configured to delay the first internal read signal by adelay time determined according to the high-order code signal togenerate a first delay signal; and a first selection and transmission(selection/transmission) circuit configured to output any one of thefirst internal read signal and the first delay signal as the firstoutput enablement signal based on the first detection signal.
 9. Theintegrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the first delay circuit includes:an input control signal generation circuit configured to generate afirst input control signal which is enabled at a point of time that thefirst internal read signal is inputted to the input control signalgeneration circuit; an output control signal generation circuitconfigured to generate a first output control signal which is enabled ata point of time that the first delay signal is inputted to the outputcontrol signal generation circuit; a latch circuit configured to latch afirst internal address to output the latched first internal address as afirst latch address, based on the first output control signal; and asecond selection/transmission circuit configured to output any one ofthe first internal address and the first latch address as the first bankaddress based on the first detection signal.
 10. The integrated circuitof claim 3, wherein the first calibration circuit includes: a firsttransmission control circuit configured to generate the high-ordertransmission control signal based on the first internal enablementsignal and chip identification information; and a first code generationcircuit configured to generate the high-order code signal that iscounted based on the first internal periodic signal and the firstdetection signal.
 11. The integrated circuit of claim 3, wherein thefirst detection circuit includes: a third selection/transmission circuitconfigured to output any one of the first and second high-ordertransmission strobe signals as a first selection signal based on chipidentification information; a first unit delay circuit configured todelay the first selection signal to generate a first delay selectionsignal; a first logic circuit configured to synthesize the first andsecond high-order transmission strobe signals to generate a firstsynthesis signal; and a first detection signal generation circuitconfigured to output the first delay selection signal as the firstdetection signal based on the first synthesis signal.
 12. The integratedcircuit of claim 1, wherein the second semiconductor device includes: athird receiving circuit configured to receive the internal command togenerate a second internal read signal, configured to receive acalibration enablement signal to generate a second internal enablementsignal, and configured to receive a calibration periodic signal togenerate a second internal periodic signal; a second internal circuitconfigured to delay the second internal read signal by a delay timedetermined based on a low-order code signal to generate the low-orderstrobe signal; a second calibration circuit configured to generate thelow-order code signal that is counted and a low-order transmissioncontrol signal, based on the second internal enablement signal, thesecond internal periodic signal and a second detection signal; a thirdtransmission circuit configured to output the low-order strobe signal tothe second output through electrode based on the low-order transmissioncontrol signal; a fourth receiving circuit configured to receive thehigh-order strobe signal to generate a first low-order transmissionstrobe signal and configured to receive the low-order strobe signal togenerate a second low-order transmission strobe signal; and a seconddetection circuit configured to compare a phase of the first low-ordertransmission strobe signal with a phase of the second low-ordertransmission strobe signal to generate the second detection signal. 13.The integrated circuit of claim 12, wherein the second internal circuitincludes: a second delay circuit configured to delay the second internalread signal by a delay time determined according to a logic levelcombination of the low-order code signal to generate a second outputenablement signal; and a second memory circuit configured to generatethe low-order strobe signal which is enabled based on the second outputenablement signal.
 14. The integrated circuit of claim 13, wherein thesecond delay circuit includes: a second internal delay circuitconfigured to delay the second internal read signal by a delay timedetermined according to the low-order code signal to generate a seconddelay signal; and a fourth selection/transmission circuit configured tooutput any one of the second internal read signal and the second delaysignal as the second output enablement signal based on the seconddetection signal.
 15. The integrated circuit of claim 12, wherein thesecond calibration circuit includes: a second transmission controlcircuit configured to generate the low-order transmission control signalbased on the second internal enablement signal and chip identificationinformation; and a second code generation circuit configured to generatethe low-order code signal that is counted based on the second internalperiodic signal and the second detection signal.
 16. The integratedcircuit of claim 12, wherein the second detection circuit includes: afifth selection/transmission circuit configured to output any one of thefirst and second low-order transmission strobe signals as a secondselection signal based on chip identification information; a second unitdelay circuit configured to delay the second selection signal togenerate a second delay selection signal; a second logic circuitconfigured to synthesize the first and second low-order transmissionstrobe signals to generate a second synthesis signal; and a seconddetection signal generation circuit configured to output the seconddelay selection signal as the second detection signal based on thesecond synthesis signal.
 17. An integrated circuit comprising: a firstsemiconductor device configured to receive an internal command from afirst input through electrode, configured to generate a high-orderstrobe signal from the internal command to output the high-order strobesignal to a first output through electrode, and configured to detect aphase difference between a low-order strobe signal received from asecond output through electrode and the high-order strobe signal tocontrol an input point of time of the internal command; and a secondsemiconductor device configured to receive the internal command from thefirst input through electrode, configured to generate the low-orderstrobe signal from the internal command to output the low-order strobesignal to the second output through electrode, and configured to detecta phase difference between the high-order strobe signal received fromthe first output through electrode and the low-order strobe signal tocontrol an input point of time of the internal command.
 18. Theintegrated circuit of claim 17, wherein the first semiconductor deviceand the second semiconductor device are configured to delay the internalcommand by a predetermined delay time if the phase difference betweenthe high-order strobe signal and the low-order strobe signal is withinthe range of a predetermined time period.
 19. The integrated circuit ofclaim 17, wherein the first semiconductor device includes: a firstreceiving circuit configured to receive the internal command to generatea first internal read signal, configured to receive a calibrationenablement signal from a second input through electrode to generate afirst internal enablement signal, and configured to receive acalibration periodic signal from a third input through electrode togenerate a first internal periodic signal; a first internal circuitconfigured to delay the first internal read signal by a delay timedetermined based on a high-order code signal to generate the high-orderstrobe signal; a first calibration circuit configured to generate thehigh-order code signal that is counted and a high-order transmissioncontrol signal, based on the first internal enablement signal, the firstinternal periodic signal and a first detection signal; a firsttransmission circuit configured to output the high-order strobe signalto the first output through electrode based on the high-ordertransmission control signal; a second receiving circuit configured toreceive the high-order strobe signal to generate a first high-ordertransmission strobe signal and configured to receive the low-orderstrobe signal to generate a second high-order transmission strobesignal; and a first detection circuit configured to compare a phase ofthe first high-order transmission strobe signal with a phase of thesecond high-order transmission strobe signal to generate the firstdetection signal.
 20. The integrated circuit of claim 19, wherein thefirst internal circuit includes: a first delay circuit configured todelay the first internal read signal by a delay time determinedaccording to a logic level combination of the high-order code signal togenerate a first output enablement signal; and a first memory circuitconfigured to generate the high-order strobe signal which is enabledbased on the first output enablement signal.
 21. The integrated circuitof claim 20, wherein the first delay circuit is configured to generate afirst bank address from a first internal address based on the firstdetection signal and is configured to delay the first internal addressby a delay time determined according to a logic level combination of thehigh-order code signal to generate the first bank address, and whereinthe first memory circuit is configured to select a bank included in thefirst memory circuit according to the first bank address.
 22. Theintegrated circuit of claim 20, wherein the first delay circuitincludes: a first internal delay circuit configured to delay the firstinternal read signal by a delay time determined according to thehigh-order code signal to generate a first delay signal; and a firstselection and transmission (selection/transmission) circuit configuredto output any one of the first internal read signal and the first delaysignal as the first output enablement signal based on the firstdetection signal.
 23. The integrated circuit of claim 21, wherein thefirst delay circuit includes: an input control signal generation circuitconfigured to generate a first input control signal which is enabled ata point of time that the first internal read signal is inputted to theinput control signal generation circuit; an output control signalgeneration circuit configured to generate a first output control signalwhich is enabled at a point of time that the first delay signal isinputted to the output control signal generation circuit; a latchcircuit configured to latch a first internal address to output thelatched first internal address as a first latch address, based on thefirst output control signal; and a second selection/transmission circuitconfigured to output any one of the first internal address and the firstlatch address as the first bank address based on the first detectionsignal.
 24. The integrated circuit of claim 19, wherein the firstcalibration circuit includes: a first transmission control circuitconfigured to generate the high-order transmission control signal basedon the first internal enablement signal and chip identificationinformation; and a first code generation circuit configured to generatethe high-order code signal that is counted based on the first internalperiodic signal and the first detection signal.
 25. The integratedcircuit of claim 19, wherein the first detection circuit includes: athird selection/transmission circuit configured to output any one of thefirst and second high-order transmission strobe signals as a firstselection signal based on chip identification information; a first unitdelay circuit configured to delay the first selection signal to generatea first delay selection signal; a first logic circuit configured tosynthesize the first and second high-order transmission strobe signalsto generate a first synthesis signal; and a first detection signalgeneration circuit configured to output the first delay selection signalas the first detection signal based on the first synthesis signal. 26.The integrated circuit of claim 17, wherein the second semiconductordevice includes: a third receiving circuit configured to receive theinternal command to generate a second internal read signal, configuredto receive a calibration enablement signal from a second input throughelectrode to generate a second internal enablement signal, andconfigured to receive a calibration periodic signal from a third inputthrough electrode to generate a second internal periodic signal; asecond internal circuit configured to delay the second internal readsignal by a delay time determined based on a low-order code signal togenerate the low-order strobe signal; a second calibration circuitconfigured to generate the low-order code signal that is counted and alow-order transmission control signal, based on the second internalenablement signal, the second internal periodic signal and a seconddetection signal; a second transmission circuit configured to output thelow-order strobe signal to the second output through electrode based onthe low-order transmission control signal; a fourth receiving circuitconfigured to receive the high-order strobe signal to generate a firstlow-order transmission strobe signal and configured to receive thelow-order strobe signal to generate a second low-order transmissionstrobe signal; and a second detection circuit configured to compare aphase of the first low-order transmission strobe signal with a phase ofthe second low-order transmission strobe signal to generate the seconddetection signal.
 27. The integrated circuit of claim 26, wherein thesecond internal circuit includes: a second delay circuit configured todelay the second internal read signal by a delay time determinedaccording to a logic level combination of the low-order code signal togenerate a second output enablement signal; and a second memory circuitconfigured to generate the low-order strobe signal which is enabledbased on the second output enablement signal.
 28. The integrated circuitof claim 27, wherein the second delay circuit includes: a secondinternal delay circuit configured to delay the second internal readsignal by a delay time determined according to the low-order code signalto generate a second delay signal; and a fourth selection/transmissioncircuit configured to output any one of the second internal read signaland the second delay signal as the second output enablement signal basedon the second detection signal.
 29. The integrated circuit of claim 26,wherein the second calibration circuit includes: a second transmissioncontrol circuit configured to generate the low-order transmissioncontrol signal based on the second internal enablement signal and chipidentification information; and a second code generation circuitconfigured to generate the low-order code signal that is counted basedon the second internal periodic signal and the second detection signal.30. The integrated circuit of claim 26, wherein the second detectioncircuit includes: a fifth selection/transmission circuit configured tooutput any one of the first and second low-order transmission strobesignals as a second selection signal based on chip identificationinformation; a second unit delay circuit configured to delay the secondselection signal to generate a second delay selection signal; a secondlogic circuit configured to synthesize the first and second low-ordertransmission strobe signals to generate a second synthesis signal; and asecond detection signal generation circuit configured to output thesecond delay selection signal as the second detection signal based onthe second synthesis signal.
 31. An integrated circuit comprising:semiconductor devices stacked in a single package, each includinginternal circuits, coupled to one another by through electrodes, andconfigured to compensate for a timing skew difference between signalswhich are inputted to the internal circuits of the semiconductordevices, wherein the semiconductor devices are configured to comparephases of strobe signals which are generated according to internal delaytimes of the semiconductor devices and configured to control points oftime that an internal command is inputted to the internal circuits ofthe semiconductor devices according to a comparison result of the phasesof the strobe signals.
 32. The integrated circuit of claim 31, wherein afirst semiconductor device of the semiconductor devices is configured tooutput the internal command generated from a command to a first inputthrough electrode of the through electrodes, configured to output ahigh-order strobe signal generated from the internal command to a firstoutput through electrode of the through electrodes, and configured todetect a phase difference between a low-order strobe signal receivedfrom a second output through electrode of the through electrodes and thehigh-order strobe signal to control an input point of time of theinternal command.
 33. The integrated circuit of claim 32, wherein asecond semiconductor device of the semiconductor devices is configuredto receive the internal command from the first input through electrode,configured to generate the low-order strobe signal from the internalcommand to output the low-order strobe signal to the second outputthrough electrode, and configured to detect a phase difference betweenthe high-order strobe signal received from the first output throughelectrode and the low-order strobe signal to control an input point oftime of the internal command.